Skillibeng

{{Short description|Jamaican dancehall singer and rapper (born 1996)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Skillibeng

| image = Skilibeng performing in 2024.jpg

| caption = Skilibeng performing at Unruly Fest in 2023

| birth_name = Emwah Warmington

| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|December 23, 1996}}

| birth_place = Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica

| instrument = Vocals

| years_active = 2015-present

| label = RCA Records, Eastsyde Records

}}

Emwah Warmington (born December 23, 1996), known professionally as Skillibeng,{{Cite web |title=Skillibeng News |url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/artists/skillibeng |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=DancehallMag |language=en-US}} is a Jamaican dancehall Deejay "DJ" and rapper from St. Thomas, noted for his works with Vybz Kartel, DJ Khaled, Sean Paul, Nicki Minaj, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Wizkid, Rich the Kid, Kali Uchis, Popcaan, J.I the Prince of N.Y, Johnny Wonder and French Montana.

Skillibeng has released two EPs, one compilation and three albums: Prodigy (2019), The Prodigy (2020), The Prodigy, Ladies Only Edition (2021), Crocodile Teeth (2021), Mr. Universe (2022) and Eastsyde (2023). In 2020 and 2022, The Face and I.D magazine profiled him as Jamaica's new dancehall hope and as Jamaica's hottest artist.{{Cite web |last=Brake |first=David Aaron |title=Skillibeng is Jamaica's new dancehall hope |url=https://i-d.co/article/skillibeng-is-jamaicas-new-dancehall-hope/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=i-d.vice.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Skillibeng interview: "It was always the goal to be a household name… |url=https://theface.com/music/skillbeng-dancehall-jamaica-brik-pon-brik-the-prodigy-ladies-only-claims-records |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=The Face |date=7 May 2021 |language=en-gb}}

Early life

Skillibeng was born in St. Thomas and grew up in the rural community of Lyssons.{{Cite web |title=Skillibeng: "I'm the greatest dancehall artist of my era" |url=https://theface.com/music/interview-skillibeng-dancehall-hip-hop-rap-music-jamaica-rolling-loud-nicki-minaj-crocodile-teeth-vol4-issue-13 |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=The Face |date=December 2022 |language=en-gb}}

Career

Skillibeng is signed to RCA Records and Eastsyde Records.{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2022-03-10 |title=Dancehall Star Skillibeng Signs With RCA Records & Eastsyde Records |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/skillibeng-rca-records-deal-1235042445/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In October 2015, he released his first official single "Pain & Emotion", the same year he released his second single "Skilli She Love", with the radio edit released the same day. In August 2019, he released his 9-track debut extended play "Prodigy". In January 2020, Skillibeng released his 35-track debut studio album The Prodigy, the album debuted on the US Current Reggae Albums Chart and peaked at number 16.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=with Kevin |date=2020-12-31 |title=Skillibeng debuts The Prodigy |url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/skillibeng-debuts-the-prodigy/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Jamaica Observer |language=en-US}} His second studio album The Prodigy: Ladies Only Edition was released on May 28, 2021. The same year, he released his third studio album Crocodile Teeth.{{Cite web |title=Skillibeng |url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/5FkUhnHQ0KC63549LHHtst |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Spotify |language=en}}

Skillibeng is the winner of Best Caribbean Music Act at the Mobo Awards of 2022.{{Cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Kevin |last2=writer |first2=Observer |date=2022-11-30 |title=Skillibeng wins Best Caribbean Music Act MOBO Award |url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/skillibeng-wins-best-caribbean-music-act-mobo-award/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Jamaica Observer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=D Double E, Kano, Knucks, Mahalia, Skillibeng Among Winners At 2022 MOBO Awards |url=https://www.complex.com/music/d-double-e-kano-knucks-mahalia-skillibeng-2022-mobo-awards |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Complex |language=en}}

References